ENGLISH
REFERENCE

vaccinations

n. plural-only
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌvæksəˈneɪʃənz// UK //vˌæksɪnˈeɪʃənz// vac·ci·na·tions

n. the act of getting a medical treatment, usually a needle, to protect you from a specific disease. It helps your body learn how to fight off germs before you get sick.

n. the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from a disease. Refers to the medical procedure or the program of providing these treatments to a population.


SIMPLE

The clinic provides free vaccinations for children.

CONTEXTUAL

Public health officials recommend annual vaccinations to prevent the spread of seasonal flu within the community.

COMPLEX

Widespread vaccinations have historically led to the total eradication of certain infectious diseases, demonstrating the efficacy of collective immunity when high participation rates are maintained.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used in the plural to refer to a series of shots or a general public health program.

Pitfall

I had a vaccination for the fluI had a vaccination against the fluWhile 'for' is common in casual speech, 'against' is the standard preposition when describing protection from a disease.

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